<html>
<head><meta charset="utf-8"><title>Microsoft BuildTools license question · t-compiler/windows · Zulip Chat Archive</title></head>
<h2>Stream: <a href="https://rust-lang.github.io/zulip_archive/stream/242869-t-compiler/windows/index.html">t-compiler/windows</a></h2>
<h3>Topic: <a href="https://rust-lang.github.io/zulip_archive/stream/242869-t-compiler/windows/topic/Microsoft.20BuildTools.20license.20question.html">Microsoft BuildTools license question</a></h3>

<hr>

<base href="https://rust-lang.zulipchat.com">

<head><link href="https://rust-lang.github.io/zulip_archive/style.css" rel="stylesheet"></head>

<a name="234147088"></a>
<h4><a href="https://rust-lang.zulipchat.com#narrow/stream/242869-t-compiler/windows/topic/Microsoft%20BuildTools%20license%20question/near/234147088" class="zl"><img src="https://rust-lang.github.io/zulip_archive/assets/img/zulip.svg" alt="view this post on Zulip" style="width:20px;height:20px;"></a> Chris Denton <a href="https://rust-lang.github.io/zulip_archive/stream/242869-t-compiler/windows/topic/Microsoft.20BuildTools.20license.20question.html#234147088">(Apr 12 2021 at 12:17)</a>:</h4>
<p>A number of people have been asking about the licensing for the <a href="https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/">MSVC build tools</a>. The linked page and (for example) <a href="https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/build/walkthrough-compiling-a-native-cpp-program-on-the-command-line?view=msvc-160">this walkthrough</a>, seems to encourage standalone use but <a href="https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/license-terms/mlt031519/">the license</a> for the build tools reads:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>You may install and use any number of copies of the software to use solely with Visual Studio Community, Visual Studio Professional, and Visual Studio Enterprise, to develop and test your applications.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Does this mean that you need to install the full Visual Studio IDE before you can use the build tools? Or does it simply mean you need a Community, Professional or Enterprise license before you can use it?</p>



<a name="234169643"></a>
<h4><a href="https://rust-lang.zulipchat.com#narrow/stream/242869-t-compiler/windows/topic/Microsoft%20BuildTools%20license%20question/near/234169643" class="zl"><img src="https://rust-lang.github.io/zulip_archive/assets/img/zulip.svg" alt="view this post on Zulip" style="width:20px;height:20px;"></a> rylev <a href="https://rust-lang.github.io/zulip_archive/stream/242869-t-compiler/windows/topic/Microsoft.20BuildTools.20license.20question.html#234169643">(Apr 12 2021 at 14:34)</a>:</h4>
<p>I believe you just need one of the licenses - the build tools are offered separately from the full IDE. If there's a need, I can try to get clarification from this from folks inside of Microsoft.</p>



<a name="234172799"></a>
<h4><a href="https://rust-lang.zulipchat.com#narrow/stream/242869-t-compiler/windows/topic/Microsoft%20BuildTools%20license%20question/near/234172799" class="zl"><img src="https://rust-lang.github.io/zulip_archive/assets/img/zulip.svg" alt="view this post on Zulip" style="width:20px;height:20px;"></a> Chris Denton <a href="https://rust-lang.github.io/zulip_archive/stream/242869-t-compiler/windows/topic/Microsoft.20BuildTools.20license.20question.html#234172799">(Apr 12 2021 at 14:52)</a>:</h4>
<p>I think some clarification would be helpful if at all possible. This has been asked in a number of places and it'd be good to have something official(ish) to point to. Even if it's just a comment from someone at Microsoft who can speak definitively.</p>



<hr><p>Last updated: Aug 07 2021 at 22:04 UTC</p>
</html>